Jolibee

Needed a quick bite, and stopped by Jollibee's. 

This time, nice and easy going, and no lines... and the drive thru is open and working.

I got the Ube Pearl Cooler.  It's a tarot boba icee type texture.  It's nice and refreshing, but much like milkshake, you can sucked up everything and then at the bottom you get a hole.

I got the 2 pc Chicken Joy with sweet potato waffle fries.  I appreciate that their chicken is not dry after they fried it.  The fries are crispy and you can dip it with the gravy.  I'm not much for a gravy person, but I tasted it, not bad.

Jolibee

8001 S. Main St

Houston, TX 77025

713-665-8914

http://www.jollibeeusa.com/index.html

Cloud 10

When we had a warm day, I was just jonesing for ice cream.

Turns out parking for a quick bite is not as easy as one would think.  The street across the way does not allow parking the entire block.  You can park at the building, but they do charge for parking.  Meanwhile, if you're lucky, the shopping center down the way might have something open up, just have to be patience, it's worth it.

They were promoting the last days of winter flavors, so I went to see what I would miss.  After tasting a few other flavors, I went back to my good ol' usual: Nutella and Marshmallow.  It's a Rocky Road lite.  There's no nuts per se, but hazelnut is in Nutella.  And Marshmallow does make it all nice.  For a hot day, that is the key to kill the heat.  Can't wait to see what they have lined up for Summer Flavors.

Aside from ice cream, they have ice cream cakes, ice cream popsicle, and other treats too.  They also started to have pint to be ordered online.  Better get those Winter Flavors before it's gone.

Cloud 10 Creamery

5216 Morningside

Houston, TX 77005

713-434-6129

http://www.cloud10creamery.com/

Cook & Collins

I had heard about Cook & Collins, and was curious... 

Actually, I got Cook & Collins mixed up with Brick & Spoon, but I'm game to try a new place.  This place is in midtown behind Spec's Warehouse, by all the bars and apartments.

Our server said that their popular brunch item was the BBQ Breakfast, which is consisted off root beer marinated pork belly, which is very good.  Not dry, well marinated, and very nice and rich.  It sits on top of a bowl of mac and cheese, which were ok.  I have had better ones elsewhere.  The dish also comes with a blue berry muffin.  Talk about starch overload.  I will say that I like my blueberry muffin warm and full of blueberry, that I don't mind.

The place look very much like a diner type of set up, but nicer and more up-classed.  But aside from that, their servers are super nice, and know their stuff.  I appreciate that.

Cook & Collins

2416 Brazos St

Houston, TX 77006

832-701-1973

http://www.cookandcollins.com/

Tiny No. 5

Met up with a friend for a quick brunch, and ended up at Tiny No. 5.

I ordered an Orange Julia.  Not quite sure what it is, but it's super nice and refreshing on a muggy day.

I was super hungry so I ordered a slice of blueberry, lemon, thyme loaf.  Honestly, I like how the lemon balanced out the blueberry by adding some zing.  But not quite sure what the purpose of the thyme in the loaf.  Either way, it was good.  Light and fluffy.

I haven't had their breakfast pizza for a while, so it was nice to order one.  I forgot how filling they are, and of course, with the loaf, it was very filling.  The pizza has smoked salmon, goat cheese, egg, and hollandaise sauce.  I could've use more egg all around.  But, it's nice with the cheese and salmon.  Definitely wouldn't mind having it again.

As usual, going to Tiny No. 5, you think you're hitting a neighborhood joint and quick, fast, and easy.  Not so much during prime time.  The parking is so severe that they've hired a cop to direct traffic.  You can park on the street, just make sure you obey the signs. 

Tiny No. 5

3636 Rice Blvd

Houston, TX 77005

713-664-0141

http://tinyboxwoods.com/tinys_no5/home.html

Coppa Osteria

The last time I was there was back in December, totally love their pasta.

If I can get them gluten free, and they taste extra good, why not?!

So we did and oh my, what a great choice!  I got the Ragatoni, which is in house made ragatoni (pasta dishes are mostly gluten free, there's a few that are not, but you have to ask the server).  It came with peas, but I asked for them to not put any on mine.  It came with prosciutto, taragon, and parmesan cream.  YUM!  I have their parmesan cream, and of course, I asked for extra parm too... Double YUM!

Sadly, this visit, our server was not as attentive as the previous visit.  Don't get me wrong, we went during non-busy times, so it was odd to have such sub-par service.  I was tempted to have the manager to serve us, but I was too hungry to be bothered.  We quickly ate and quickly get our bill and left.  Food is excellent, don't get me wrong, but the one time service is not going to discourage me from going back.  But they better shape up!

Coppa Osteria

Rice Village

5120 Morningside

Houston, TX 77005

713-523-3535

http://coppaosteriahouston.com/

Lee's Bakery - Atlanta

I had to go to Atlanta for a work conference, snuck out one night to hang out with my friend Holly.  She recommended this Vietnamese place that is the place-to-be in ATL, so of course, we have to go check that out.

First off, this place is known for their Banh Mi.  It does taste good, very fresh ingredients, warm meat inside and of course, crunchy baguette.  

They have a deal that you get half of Banh Mi and a small bowl of beef pho.  That was all under $8.  Good food and good deal, can't be beat! 

I ordered the 3 colored drink, which has red (adzuki bean), mung beants, and grassjelly with coconut milk.  It's a very traditional Vietnamese drink.  But Lee's is really famous for their smoothie with boba in them.  People line up to get those when I was there.

I guess one thing about this place is that it's in the same shopping center of 2 other very good tasting and good deals places, except the others were taco joint and a Cuban food place.  And you can easily miss this place because it's behind a gas station.  But for the locals this is a very popular spot.  We see a constant stream of people getting orders to go.  They also have a bakery there, you can tell the mom and pop gets up early to bake their own baguette and other pastries.  Definitely a must try!

Lee's Bakery

4005 Buford Hwy Ste C

Atlanta, GA 30345

404-728-1008

https://www.facebook.com/LeesBakery

Becks Prime

Needed to grab a quick bite, and decided to go splurge at Becks Prime.  

It's been a while since I had their milk shake.  I know I said splurge, but one must do it with moderation.  Plus, their shakes are known for hard to drink it thru the straw, so you have to get a spoon to eat it like ice cream.

Now, here's the splurge.  I had the chili cheese dog.  I always find it interesting that they butterflied it and it can still fit the burger buns instead of a hot dog bun.  They just lay couple slices of cheddar and it melt along as you make your way thru the sandwich.  The chili was nice and hot and no beans, thank you!  I hate the beans in chili anyways.  At any rate, by the time you do finish the sandwich, it does make you feel very full.  And if you had the milkshake as I did, no matter what size, it is filling.

Becks Prime

708 Meyerland Plaza Mall

by Beechnut

Houston, TX 77096

713-667-4076

http://becksprime.com/